Cleaner



Jan. 21, 1941. E. HORNE 229,084

CLEANER Filed Sept. 12, 19 8 Edward Horne INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES 2 Claims.

My invention relates to cleaning devices and more particularly to cleaning devices utilized for cleaning pipe fittings and the like.

One of the principal objects of my invention is 5 to provide a cleaning device adapted for cleaning pipe fittings and the like equipped with a handle means for detachably securing thereto a cleaning element, the latter being replaceable with others of various sizes as described.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the above described character which is simple in construction, durable in use, efficient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several Views:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my device.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the cleaning element detached from the handle.

In practicing my invention I provide a handle 5, preferably constructed of wood, and formed with a longitudinally extending bore 6 in which is secured a metal tube 1 by means of a pair of spaced front and rear rivets 8 and 9 respectively, located adjacent the ends of the handle and extending transversely through said tube and handle.

The tube 1 extends beyond the forward end of the handle and has secured at its outer end a metal plate H] for limiting the insertion of a brush B, hereinafter described, into a pipe fitting or the like. Removably mounted in the tube 1 is the outer end ll of a shank l2 of the wire brush or cleaning element B and said end I l of said shank is provided with a transverse slot 14 embracing 40 the rivet 8 at the forward end of said handle whereby to limit the rearward axial movement of said shank and to effect rotation of the brush with the handle.

Adjacent the plate It], the tube is formed with a slot it through which extends an angular disposed end IG of a spring latch member H, the opposite end of the latter being fixed to the outer periphery of the tube. The angularly disposed end 15 seats within a recess I8 formed in the periphery of the shank 12, as clearly illustrated in the drawing, whereby to latch said brush into operating engagement with the handle. The other end of the shank l2 adjacent the brush B is provided with a reamer [9 adapted for ream- 5 ing relatively small bores of fittings.

In use, the parts being in the position illustrated in Figure 1, the brush 1 3 is inserted within the end of a pipe fitting, for instance of the copper sweat type, and rotated therein by means 10 of the handle to effect a cleaning of said fitting. The plate It coacts with the end of the fitting to limit the inward movement of the brush. The brush l3 may be of a convenient size and is detachable from the handle for replacement of 15 others of dilierent sizes and shapes whereby various sizes of pipe fittings may be cleaned.

While I have shown and described my invention as being hand operated, it is to be understood that the same may be operated by a motor or the like attached thereto. It is also to be understood that various changes and modifications may be resorted to in the construction and arrangement of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a handle provided with a bore, a tube in said bore and having an end section projecting beyond said handle, a brush provided with a shank having a bifurcated end defining a slot and extending into said tube through said end section, a latch member carried by said tube and engaging said shank for detachably securing said brush to said handle, and a pin extending transversely through said handle and tube and securing said handle and tube in fixed relation, said pin extending through said slot and effecting unitary rotation of said handle and shank and permitting detachment of said shank from said tube upon operation of said latch member.

2. The structure of claim 1 as set forth and defined therein including, a plate fixed to said tube adjacent said brush for limiting the axial movement of the latter when inserted within a pipe fitting for efiecting cleaning of the latter.

- EDWARD HORNE. 

